Huskies’ Win Streak Snapped in 3-2 Loss to Cal

Thursday, November 7

Seattle, WA

7:00 PM

University of Washington

14-2-0, 7-1-0Pac-12

California

7-5-3, 3-3-2Pac-12

California

Washington

Photo by: Red Box Pictures

November 07, 2019 | Men's Soccer

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SEATTLE --- Despite first-half goals from Gio Miglietti and Blake Bodily, Washington surrendered a pair of second half goals to California in a 3-2 loss to the Bears on Thursday night at Husky Soccer Stadium.

The Huskies saw their 10-game winning streak come to an end as they fall to 14-2-0 on the season and suffer their first defeat in conference play to drop to 7-1-0 in the Pac-12. The Bears improve to 7-5-3 and to 3-3-2 in conference action.

Washington jumped out to a quick lead in the match, scoring the first goal in the 26th minute. Christian Soto made a pair of great moves to get around two Cal defenders and sent a ball toward the goal where Miglietti redirected it into the goal with a flick with his foot.

Cal struck back, though, scoring in the 39th minute a Simon Lekressner was able to send home a short finish off a corner kick to knot the score at 1-1.

Washington would respond quickly, taking the lead back just 26 seconds later as Lucas Meek slid a nice pass over Blake Bodily, who finished with a quick strike from a tough angle to put the huskies back on top.

However, despite holding a 17-5 edge in shots in the first half, the Huskies were not able to muster another goal and settled for a 2-1 lead at the break.

In the second half, Washington kept the pressure on but could not find the back of the net. Cal would take advantage and tied the game off a restart in the 63rd minute. The Bears started in their own end, worked the ball forward down the middle of the field and got a goal as a sliding player slid the ball past the Huskies on-rushing keeper.

Cal would take back the lead, but not without a bit of controversy. Washington's Jaret Townsend made a run down the right side of the field and appeared to be taken down as he entered the box. However, the official didn't see it that way and awarded Cal a goal kick. As the Golden Bears restarted the play, they worked the ball forward and got the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute as low cross was back-heeled into the goal.

Washington would press forward over the final 10 minutes and had a chance to tie the game in the 89th minute. Ethan Bartlow lifted a slow pass into the box where Lucas Meek got in behind the defense. Meek would redirect the ball toward the goal with a nifty touch, but it would hit the post and end up being saved by the Cal netminder.

The match continued the an impressive streak of close matches between Washington and California as 18 of the last 19 matches between the two teams have been decided by one goal or ended in a tie.

The loss spoiled a chance for the Huskies to claim their first Pac-12 Championship since 2013 as Stanford and Oregon State played to a draw in Corvallis earlier in the day. Washington still needs just a win or draw when the Huskies battle No. 5 Stanford on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.